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Archive for February, 2010

Bicycle Indiana, a state-wide bicycling advocacy agency, is applying to Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a bicycling vanity plate. The success of this application promises to bring much needed funding for bicycling improvements throughout the state.

In order to make the applications successful, we need a minimum of 500 signed pledges by March 15. Can you commit to buying a plate starting mid-2010 or on your next renewal following that? If so, please sign the pledge sheet at a local bike shop or mail or fax your own form to Bicycle Indiana (additional details below). If you have two vehicles that you want to buy a plate for, have a second adult in your household sign as well.

At South Bend’s ‘State of the City’ address, Mayor Luecke listed the top 10 accomplishments, challenges, and reasons for optimism. Biking made the top 10 list of ‘accomplishments’, as well as the top 10 list of ‘reasons for optimism’.

Accomplishments.

Mayor Luecke said “with 80 percent federal funding, we completed the extension of Riverside Trail along the St. Joseph River to the city limits.” The new section was about 1.7 miles. The mayor went on to say “This popular 3.2-mile trail, from Angela to Darden, has some of the most scenic vistas in South Bend.” Indeed it does; this multi-use trail is second to none.

HB 1182 (Complete Streets) passed out of the Roads and Transportation Committee by a vote of 10-2 on February 2nd. The bill specifies that beginning December 1, 2010, INDOT will be required to report, on an annual basis, the steps taken and progress made in developing and implementing complete streets guidelines at the state level. The bill also explicitly defines a “user” as a motorist, pedestrian, bicyclist, or transit passenger. More about the Complete Streets initiative can be found HERE.

The bill will now move to the full House floor, and citizens are encouraged to reach out to their representatives. It is important that you take this action by early next week! For help identifying or contacting your legislators, click HERE.

From today’s New York Times, an article on the growing presence of electric bikes. There’s got to be a way of capitalizing on this regions strengths to not only retrofit factories/businesses to build electric cars, but bikes/e-bikes, too.